To the editor:

In 1946, I was the navigator of the aircraft carrier USS White Plains. Each morning and evening while at sea, I measured the altitude on three or four stars and determined the ship’s position. Daily over the centuries and all over the world, navigators have made observations of the stars to determine their ship’s position. Has this system of navigation been possible because of a chance arrangement of the stars or because of some intelligent design of the universe?

Today we have some 21 artificial satellites which circle the earth and provide the navigator with information to determine his position. Has this system of navigation been possible because of the chance arrangement of the artificial satellites or because of some intelligent design of the system?

As an aerospace engineer for some 58 years, my experience tells me the possibility of either system occurring by a chance arrangement is zero. A mathematician could provide an exact answer by statistical analysis. Webster considers mathematics a science of order.

There is much junk science and junk theology in the world today (what’s new?). If an aerospace engineer designed an aerospace vehicle with the same quality of “facts,” I would advise you not to fly in the vehicle. Fortunately, the vehicle wouldn’t fly.

Perhaps the psalmist was right: “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Psalm 19:1.

Vincent U. Muirhead,

Lawrence